Bernice Spreckman talks about her qualifications for the 14th Westchester County Legislative District during an interview with The Journal News/lohud Editorial Board. Spreckman died Thursday at age 82. Video by Albert ConteWochit

Buy Photo

Bernice Spreckman.(Photo: File photo/The Journal News)Buy Photo

YONKERS – Former Westchester County Legislator Bernice Spreckman, who was known for her senior citizen advocacy and gained national attention while stranded aboard a cruise ship, died Thursday. She was 82.

Spreckman, a Republican from Yonkers, served the county’s 14th District for more than 20 years before resigning in 2016. Her political career began as a Yonkers City Councilwoman in 1978.

Well-regarded by her constituents for her motto “people before politics,” she earned the nickname “Unsinkable Spreckman” after she made national headlines in 2010 when a group consisting of her, her husband, Harry, who died in 2015, and more than 50 other local seniors were among 4,500 people stranded on a Carnival cruise ship without power for several days.

A statement from the Board of Legislators Democratic Caucus confirmed Spreckman’s death Thursday.

“It brought us great sadness to hear of the passing of our incomparable former colleague as we were waking up to the warmth of Thanksgiving this morning,” the statement said. “Legislator Spreckman brought a much-needed sense of humor to our work, along with her unsinkable good spirit. She knew why we were here, to help people above all else, no matter party, politics or person.”

Spreckman, lauded as a champion for seniors, chaired the Seniors Constituencies Committee. She organized senior lunches, senior exercise walks and wrote, produced and directed musical revues for seniors. She also fought for senior discounts, senior community centers, senior health care and safe bus travel for seniors going to Atlantic City.

Additionally, she chaired the Committee on Generational, Cultural and Ethnic Diversity.